Confocal Microscope 3D Target Region Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for determining and extracting three-dimensional target regions from stereoscopic images obtained by confocal scanning microscopes require significant labor and are inefficient for rescanning and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A confocal scanning microscope system that projects images onto three intersecting planes in three-dimensional space, allowing for the specification and display of target regions by integrating pixels across multiple two-dimensional confocal images, with a region extracting unit and target region forming unit to streamline the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a three-dimensional target region is determined by individually specifying regions for each sliced image in respective Z positions, then the target region can be extracted, but the labor and time required for specification increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects the three-dimensional image data onto three orthogonal planes (XY, YZ, ZX planes) and allows users to specify target regions in two-dimensional projections rather than in each individual Z-position slice. This dimensional transformation reduces the specification task from three-dimensional (specifying in each slice across multiple Z positions) to two-dimensional (specifying in projected planes), significantly reducing the time and labor required while maintaining accurate target region extraction through back-projection to three-dimensional coordinates.
2Loss of information
If multiple two-dimensional confocal images are stacked to build a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, then three-dimensional information is obtained, but the complexity of specifying and analyzing target regions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the three-dimensional target region specification task into two independent two-dimensional specification tasks on orthogonal projection planes. By dividing the complex three-dimensional specification into simpler two-dimensional components (specifying regions on XY, YZ, and ZX planes separately), the system reduces the cognitive and operational complexity while preserving complete three-dimensional information through coordinate transformation and back-projection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces the labor required for specifying and rescanning three-dimensional target regions, enabling more efficient three-dimensional analysis by automating the integration of pixels across multiple planes.
Implementation Method 1
the confocal scanning microscope has a high resolution in the direction of the optical axis. That is, the intensity of measured light increases when a focus is achieved on the optical axis
Implementation Method 2
converts only light, which passes through a pinhole among light beams reflected from and passing through the sample, into an electric signal with a photodetector
Implementation Method 3
light coming from a plane shifted from the measurement point in the direction of an optical axis is broadened with an objective lens before the pinhole, whereby light passing through the pinhole is suppressed
Data Source
AI summary
A CPU executes a process for building an image, which is projected on three planes such as XY, YZ, and XZ planes mutually intersecting in three-dimensional space, of a three-dimensional image obtained by stacking in a direction of an optical axis a plurality of two-dimensional confocal images, which are obtained by changing the focal position of an objective lens against a sample in the direction of the optical axis of the objective lens. Then, a target region implemented by integrating pixels, whose points projected on the three planes are included in regions respectively specified for the three planes, among pixels configuring each of the two-dimensional confocal image.